While its diverse cultures such as French Acadian, English, Irish, Scottish and First Nations Mik’mag and Maliseet heritage, adds spice to New Brunswick, it’s the dramatic coastline that initially draws people to this region. In particular, the Bay of Fundy coastline is home to the highest tides in the world – rising up to an incredible 52 feet. Walk on the ocean floor at low tide among giant rock formations at Hopewell Rocks carved by the power of the incredible Bay of Fundy tides and just 6 hours later, kayak the very same spot. Head out to see the over 12 species of whales, including the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Dine on the freshest local cuisine you’ll find anywhere. Crack open a luscious lobster straight from the sea. Seafood is abundant in New Brunswick from lobster to salmon to mussels to scallops; it is a seafood lover’s paradise! Scenic coastal drives beg to be explored, towns and cities offer many festivals and cultural activities to mix with the people, and the relaxed atmosphere and friendly people will create lasting memories.
Fly Glasgow to Halifax, Nova Scotia on WestJet Airlines. Upon arrival into Halifax, Stanfield Airport collect your hire car, and make your way to your overnight hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Park up your car and take a stroll along the harbor. Take time out to visit Pier 22 the Canadian Museum of Immigration. Overnight: Halifax: The Haliburton (B)
Depart Halifax around mid-day bound for New Brunswick and the city of Moncton.
Via NS 102 and Trans Canada Hwy/NS 104 W; 266 km, 2 hours and 35 minutes; This route has tolls
The city of Moncton is known as the “hub” of the Maritimes and is minutes away for two breathtaking coastlines. To the east, the Acadian Coast along the Northumberland Strait boasts the warmest, saltwater swimming beaches in Canada with its white sand and sand dunes. To the south is the Bay of Fundy Coast with it’s highest tides in the world. Rocky, rugged and recognized by UNESCO as the Fundy Biosphere Reserve. The city hosts many concerts and festivals and the dining, music and heritage create a fun atmosphere. This part of New Brunswick is French and English combine. Overnight: Moncton – Auberge Au Bois Dormant Inn (B)
Key Highlights:
Magnetic Hill Winery
Tidal Bore
Suggested Restaurants:
Tide and Boar Gastropub
Little Louis’ Oyster Bar
Catch 22
Via Trans Canada Hwy/NB-2 E and NB 114 S; 105 km; 1 hour and 32 mins; head to the Bay of Fundy!
Option to do a day tour with Roads To Sea:
Tour includes:
Key Highlights:
Fundy National Park
Hopewell Rocks - check tide table!!
Cape Enrage
Hotspots:
Kelly’s Bakery – best sticky buns!
Holy Whale Brewery – located in an old church
Overnight in Alma; this is the fishing village at the entrance of Fundy National Park.
Falcon Ridge (B)
Via NB 114 S and NB 1W; 1 hour and 28 minutes; 132 km
City of Saint John; Canada’s oldest incorporated city and the only city along the Bay of Fundy
Key Highlights:
Uncorked Wine Tours
Reversing Rapids Skywalk – NEW
New Brunswick Museum- the Hall of Great Whales is a fantastic exhibit; all about the whales of the Bay of Fundy
Saint John City Market - oldest market in North America, built by the Saint John shipbuilders in late 1800s, ceiling is the inverted hull of a ship
Suggested Restaurants:
East Coast Bistro -highly recommend!
Saint John Ale House
Billy’s Seafood
Dave’s Lobster (casual lunch stop)
Hotspots:
Hopscotch Whiskey Bar
Happinez Wine Bar
Picaroons Micro Brewery (Saint John and Fredericton)
Five and Dime
Overnight at the Hilton Saint John; overlooking the harbour and located within walking distance of all the restaurants, shops and entertainment.
Above highlights and Fundy Trail Parkway
Head to the Fundy Trail via NB-1 E and then the NB-111 E; 64 km; 54 minutes
Overlooking the world-famous Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world, the Fundy Trail Parkway is a 2,559 hectare (6,323 acre) park featuring a 19 km (12 mile) drive hugging the southern coast of New Brunswick. With stunning views in every direction along coastal cliffs, the paved Parkway is the driving artery, while hiking and biking trails connect to paths and stairways which lead to pristine beaches, tumbling waterfalls, Precambrian rocks, and 250-m (820-ft.) cliffs that tower at the water’s edge.
Fundy Trail now lays claim to being part of not only one but two UNESCO designated sites: the Fundy Biosphere Reserve and the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark.
Overnight in Saint John for second night
Via NB-1 W and 127 N; 103 km, 1 hour and 5 minutes
St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, a National Historic District in New Brunswick, ranks among North America's prettiest and most affluent resort towns. The town comprises 550 buildings, and more than 280 of them were built before 1880. Many were barged up the Eastern Seaboard from the USA after the War of Independence by those who wanted to remain British subjects. The picturesque community serves as a base for exploring the nearby Bay of Fundy. It has just been awarded the Best Destination in Canada by USA Today.
Three Night stay in Saint Andrews at The Algonquin Resort
Dining:
Rossmount Inn - highly recommend!
Chef Chris Aerni and his wife Graziella, originally from Switzerland, purchased this inn 12 years ago. They have turned it into one of the finest dining experiences in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. Chef Chris only uses fresh ingredients from the fisherman and farmers that he gets that day and he grows a lot of his own produce. He also loves to forage for mushrooms. The dining room at Rossmount has been featured in “Where to Eat in Canada” for the past five years. A MUST! The Algonquin shuttle will drive guests to Rossmount and pick them up.
The Algonquin Resort
Chef Ron graduated from the Culinary Institute of Canada in PEI. He has apprenticed at the Calgary Olympic Winter Games, as well as winning gold medals at Taste of Canada. Chef Kneabone brings European taste to our Canadian table. He spent 10 years in Alsace, France serving everything from Farm to Table and Three Star Michelin cuisine.
Savour in the Garden
Chef Alex Haun, awarded 12 culinary Gold medals on Culinary Team Canada. Chef Haun opened his first restaurant at age 22 and in 2014 moved to Savour to Kingsbrae Gardens where his culinary career began at age 13 in the Garden Café. Alex does set tasting menus at the fine dining restaurant and and the Garden Café is bistro style and serves light healthful fare throughout the day.
Europa Inn
Chef Markus Ritter and his culinary team invite you to embark on a gourmet journey as you savour our delicious menu featuring seasonal, fresh, local seafood, meats and vegetables. After you sample a bounty of national, international and European specialties, enjoy our delectable European desserts including pastries, ice creams and sorbets prepared in the kitchen daily.
Lunch Spots:
The Gables - overlooking the Bay
Niger Reef Café – overlooking the Bay
Suggested kayaking experience, with Seascape Kayak Tours on Deer Island. St. Andrews to L’Etete is 52 km (32 mi). Catch the ferry in L’Etete to Deer Island first (leaves on the half hour) which takes about 20 minutes; Seascape is located a 10 minute drive after arriving on the ferry. Blue and white signs lead the way.
Three suggested options for Campobello Island; a day trip on the ferries with car, the water taxi with a guided tour, or ferries with your car and an overnight. (all prices available on request)
Ferries:
St. Andrews to L’Etete is 52 km (32 mi). Catch the ferry in L’Etete to Deer Island first (leaves on the half hour) which takes about 20 minutes, and then drive across Deer Island (20 mins) and take the ferry to Campobello Island, which takes about 25 minutes. Island hopping in the Bay of Fundy! A very charming experience! Ferries run from mid-June to mid-September.
Water Taxi: Guided Tour
You can access Campobello Island by water taxi from Saint Andrews with a company called Jolly Breeze (who also do whale watching excursions). This is a 25 minute journey on the water. The option is to book a day tour with Jolly Breeze and your clients will be met at the wharf on Campobello by Island Bound Tours – guided with transportation.
Other Options:
If you would like to take your hire car for the day on Campobello, just take the ferry from L’Etete which is described above.
If you would like to take the ferry and car and overnight, your accommodation would be Owen House
Highlights:
Roosevelt Campobello International Park - Recommended
USA President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s beloved island in the Bay of Fundy Island was where he spent many of his summers. From 1883, when Franklin was one year old, until he was stricken by polio in 1921, he spent most of his summers on this rugged and beautiful island in the Bay of Fundy. The Roosevelt cottage is the focal point of Roosevelt Campobello International Park.
Herring Cove Provincial Park; a hiker’s delight offering 6 unique trails of varying lengths. Hike the Carriage Road through a forest of ancient spruce, across log bridges and around a small pond, or follow an old logging road once used by the Roosevelts.
Whale Watching:
Island Cruises Whale Watch
Suggested Restaurants:
Jocie’s Porch Café/Bakery – free wifi, gorgeous view and the best coffee!
The Fireside Restaurant (casual, part of the Roosevelt Park; gorgeous view!) - great lunch spot; cafeteria style – outdoor deck overlooks the Bay.
Via NB-127 N, NB-3 N and NB-640 N; 129 km; 1 hour and 43 minutes
City of Fredericton; New Brunswick’s capital city with a rich culture, history and riverside beauty.
Key Highlights:
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Historic Garrison District
Government House
Kings Landing Historical Settlement
Why not visit Kings Landing Historical Settlement before arriving in Fredericton as it is along this route; 25 minutes west of Fredericton.
If in Fredericton on a Saturday visit Boyce Farmers Market
Suggested Restaurants:
Isaac’s Way
540 Kitchen and Bar
The Palate
Hotspots:
Corked Wine Bar
Lunar Rogue; pub and whisky bar
9 Micro-Breweries; Fredericton is practically overflowing with local beer, from new start-ups to award-winning breweries. With the highest concentration of craft breweries and tasting experiences in the Maritimes, Fredericton offers a brew for every taste.
If you decide to travelling in September then a MUST DO is the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. It is a 6 day event the second week of September and is the The Best International Festival Experience on Canada’s East Coast! 400+ Musicians, 150 Performances, 27 Stages, 6 City Blocks, 6 Incredible Days, 1 Happenin’ City!
Overnight at Quartermain House (B)
Via Trans Canada Hwy/NB-2 E, 203 km; 2 hours
Town of Shediac – Lobster Capital of the World.
Key Highlight:
Lobster Tales – Shediac Bay Cruises
Book ahead; they offer afternoon tours and an evening cruise at 7 pm.
Suggested Restaurants:
Maison Tait House Dining Room
Auberge Gabriele Inn
Other Highlights:
Giant Lobster Statue – kind of a fun and quirky landmark of Shediac commemorating the “lobster capital of the world”
Adorable Chocolate Boutique and Chocolatier - located on Main Street; open Wednesday to Saturday. Gorgeous chocolates!
Ecocentre Homarus Eco- Centre - everything you wanted to know about lobster
Overnight Maison Tait House Inn (B)
Morning in Shediac
Depart New Brunswick for the Halifax International Airport
Via Trans Canada Hwy NB 2 and NS-104 E and NS-102 S; 233 km; 2 hours and 18 minutes
This route has tolls
Return your hire car and board your flight back to Glasgow on WestJet Airlines
